Storage bin double track system

ABSTRACT

A sliding storage compartment assembly for a motor vehicle includes a storage bin slidably received in a storage bin holder by a dual track assembly defined by opposed sets of rails and opposed sets of cooperating tracks. Each of the opposed sets of rails and opposed sets of cooperating tracks are vertically and laterally offset one from another. Each of the opposed sets of rails and each of the opposed sets of cooperating tracks may be vertically offset one from another in a vehicle z-axis direction and laterally offset from one another in a vehicle x-axis direction. The opposed sets of cooperating tracks may be disposed on opposed side walls of the storage bin holder and the opposed sets of rails may be disposed on opposed side walls of the storage bin, or vice-versa. Console assemblies including the sliding storage compartment assembly are described.

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/872,828 filed on 1 Oct. 2015, the entirety of the disclosure of whichis incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates generally to storage compartments or bins formotor vehicles, and more particularly to an improved track system for amotor vehicle sliding storage bin or drawer.

BACKGROUND

A wide variety of storage bins and compartments are provided in themodern motor vehicle to allow convenient storage and retrieval of largeand small items. For example, it is known to provide small slidingstorage compartments especially designed for items such as sunglasses,wherein the storage compartments are positioned in the motor vehicle foreasy retrieval of the contents by the driver when seated in the motorvehicle. Likewise, it is known to provide larger sliding storage bins ordrawers, for example center console-mounted storage bins or under-seatstorage bins, to hold larger items. Conventionally, such vehicle slidingstorage bins rely on a track system, similar in overall design to adrawer track system, for a smooth opening/closing action. Suchconventional storage bin 1 track systems typically include a trackassembly comprising a cooperating single rail 2 and track 3 disposed oneach side of the sliding storage bin (see FIG. 1).

While substantially effective for their intended purpose, conventionalsliding storage bins including a single track assembly suffer fromcertain deficiencies. In particular, single track system vehicle storagebins are prone to rocking and friction when opening/closing. That is,such prior art systems provide only two points of effort on each side ofthe bin 1 and therefore allow a significant degree of movement of thebin along a z (up/down) axis and along a y (in/out) axis, with attendantnoise/squealing. This is in part related to the larger draft angles (theamount of taper for molded/cast parts perpendicular to a parting line)required for molded tracks to allow easy removal of the molded part froma mold. The rocking and friction associated with conventional slidingstorage bins including a single track assembly leads to a perception oflesser vehicle quality and reduced consumer satisfaction. Moldingequally-sized track parts with a smaller draft angle is anunsatisfactory, as the parts may be difficult to remove from the moldonce hardened.

In turn, to fit large and/or heavy objects into a conventionallysupported storage bin or drawer requires extending the drawer to a fullyopened configuration, leaving the bin in a cantilevered condition withonly two points of effort or support points in a rear portion of the bintracks. Vehicle specification requirements of max load are usually high,which leads to a very large lever arm and thus to a huge bending momentwith a strain increase in the two mentioned points. This state may leadto an overstrained material and possibly to a fracture in these effortconcentration points.

To solve these and other problems, the present disclosure relates to amotor vehicle sliding storage bin including an offset dual trackassembly. Advantageously, the described dual track assembly providesadditional support for a sliding storage bin, reducing theabove-summarized issues of bending moment, friction and rocking.

SUMMARY

In accordance with the purposes and benefits described herein, in oneaspect a sliding storage compartment assembly for a motor vehicle isdescribed. In embodiments, the sliding storage compartment assemblyincludes a storage bin slidably received in a storage bin holder by adual track assembly defined by opposed sets of rails and opposed sets ofcooperating tracks. Each of the opposed sets of rails and opposed setsof cooperating tracks are vertically and laterally offset one fromanother. Each of the opposed sets of rails and each of the opposed setsof cooperating tracks may be vertically offset one from another in avehicle z-axis direction and laterally offset from one another in avehicle x-axis direction. In embodiments, the opposed sets ofcooperating tracks may be disposed on opposed side walls of the storagebin holder and the opposed sets of rails may be disposed on opposed sidewalls of the storage bin, or vice-versa. Console assemblies includingthe sliding storage compartment assembly are described.

In another aspect, a sliding track system for use with a sliding storagecompartment assembly as described above is provided.

In the following description, there are shown and described embodimentsof the disclosed motor vehicle sliding storage bin assembly. As itshould be realized, the assembly is capable of other, differentembodiments and its several details are capable of modification invarious, obvious aspects all without departing from the devices andmethods as set forth and described in the following claims. Accordingly,the drawings and descriptions should be regarded as illustrative innature and not as restrictive.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawing figures incorporated herein and forming a partof the specification, illustrate several aspects of the disclosed motorvehicle sliding storage bin assembly, and together with the descriptionserve to explain certain principles thereof. In the drawing:

FIG. 1 depicts a prior art sliding storage bin for a motor vehicle;

FIG. 2 depicts a front perspective view of a sliding storage bin for amotor vehicle according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 3A depicts a side view of the sliding storage bin of FIG. 2 in anopen configuration;

FIG. 3B depicts a side view of the sliding storage bin of FIG. 2 in aclosed configuration; and

FIG. 3C depicts a side view of an alternative embodiment of a slidingstorage bin according to the present disclosure, held in an openconfiguration;

FIG. 4 depicts the sliding storage bin of FIG. 2 disposed in a motorvehicle center console.

Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the disclosedmotor vehicle sliding storage bin assembly, examples of which areillustrated in the accompanying drawing figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As will be described in greater detail below, at a high level thedescribed storage bin assembly includes a dual track system wherein atrack and rail assembly are divided to provide a vertical and a lateraloffset, to provide multiple attachment points on each side of thesliding storage bin. Advantageously, the described configuration, byproviding multiple contact points for the sliding storage bin, increasesthe points of effort/support points for the storage bin assembly andreduces the required draft angles for the track/rail assembly. Further,a lesser requirement for supporting the storage bin during opening isimposed on a bezel associated with the assembly. Thus, additionalsupport and reduced tolerances are provided for the sliding storage binalong the vehicle y (in/out) axis, as well as reducing a degree ofmotion of the storage bin in the vehicle z (up/down) axis. As yetanother advantage, by dividing the track/rail assembly as described andreducing required tolerances therefore, costs of molding and tooling formanufacture of the sliding storage bin assembly are reduced.

Reference is now made to FIG. 2 illustrating a motor vehicle slidingstorage bin assembly 10 according to the present disclosure. Theassembly 10 includes a holder 12 for slidably receiving a bin 14therein. Holder 12 includes at least a roof 13 and opposed holder sidewalls 15, 15′. Bin 14 is defined by bin side walls 16, 16′, a front wall18, a floor 20, and a rear wall 22 (not visible in this view) incombination defining a storage compartment or drawer. Bin 14 may alsoinclude a handle 24 for ease of opening/closing. Of course, alocking/latching assembly (not shown) may be included to secure bin 14in a closed configuration. A number of suitable locking/latchingassemblies are known such as simple catches, push-pull locks, push-pushlocks, and others, and use of any such suitable locking/latchingassembly is contemplated.

The sliding storage bin assembly 10 also includes a track assembly fortranslating the storage bin 14 between an open and a closedconfiguration. As depicted, holder 12 includes a set of tracks 26, 26′disposed on each holder side wall 15, 15′. Likewise, storage bin 14includes a set of cooperating rails 28, 28′ disposed on each bin sidewall 16, 16′. Of course, it will be appreciated that an alternateconfiguration is possible, i.e. disposing the tracks on each bin sidewall 16, 16′ and the rails 28, 28′ on each receiver side wall (see FIG.3C). Each track 26, 26′ defines a channel dimensioned for slidablyreceiving a rail 28, 28′ therein. As will be appreciated, tracks 26, 26′and cooperating rails 28, 28′ may be molded as integral portions ofholder 12 and storage bin 14, respectively, or may be fabricated asseparate parts and attached thereto.

As best shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, tracks 26, 26′ are vertically offsetone from the other along the vehicle z-axis on holder side walls 15,15′, and also laterally offset one from the other on holder side walls15, 15′ along a vehicle x (fore/aft) axis. Likewise, the cooperatingrails 28, 28′ are vertically and laterally offset one from the other onstorage bin side walls 16, 16′ along the vehicle x-axis. As shown,tracks 26, 26′ and rails 28, 28′ are disposed such that a lengthdimension of a track of a set does not overlap a length dimension ofanother track of the set, and a length dimension of a rail of a set doesnot overlap a length dimension of another rail of the set. By thisvertically offset configuration, multiple points of attachment betweenthe storage bin 14 and the holder 12 are provided. Likewise, by thelaterally offset configuration, multiple points of effort (see arrows)are provided at each opposed side of the storage bin assembly 10. Thisadvantageously reduces the degree of motion of the storage bin 14relative to the holder 12 along both the vehicle y-axis and z-axis,reducing rocking and friction during opening/closing of the bin 14.

FIG. 4 depicts a sliding storage bin assembly 10 according to thepresent disclosure, provided as an under-seat storage compartmentassembly 30 disposed below a vehicle seat bottom 32. Of course thisshould not be taken as limiting, as the skilled artisan will readilyappreciate that the storage bin assembly 10 could be disposed in anyconvenient location with a vehicle, for example in a front or rearcenter console, in a dash panel, in a rear seat armrest/divider, in astorage box assembly associated with a pickup truck bed or SUV/CUV cargoarea, etc. As depicted, under-seat storage compartment assembly 30defines a housing for the sliding storage bin assembly 10. A bezel 32 isdisposed on the storage bin front wall 18, providing an attractiveappearance to the assembly. Thus, an attractive and effective slidingstorage bin is provided by use of the described dual track assembly.

Obvious modifications and variations are possible in light of the aboveteachings. The depicted embodiment of the sliding storage bin assembly10 shows a simple sliding track and rail system including opposed setsof tracks 26, 26′ and cooperating rails 28, 28′. However, it will beappreciated that alternative embodiments can be readily implemented. Forexample, the described track assembly may include more than twocooperating rail/track pairs in accordance with a size and/or weightdimension of the sliding storage bin assembly 10, for example three,four, or more cooperating rail/track pairs.

In still other alternatives, rollers/bearings may be associated with therails 28, 28′ and/or the tracks 26, 26′ to ensure/improve smoothoperation during opening/closing. As is also known, stops and/or hold-inmechanisms (not shown) may be included to retain the storage bin 14 in aclosed configuration and/or an opened or deployed configuration, and/orto prevent inadvertent full removal of storage bin 14 from consoleassembly 30. Such mechanisms are well known to the skilled artisan, forexample in the cabinetry and/or drawer slide arts, and require nofurther description herein. Still further, particular materials may beselected for fabrication of tracks 26, 26′ and/or cooperating rails 28,28′ which, by their inherent lubricity, provide a smooth sliding actionbetween the tracks/rails. All such modifications and variations arewithin the scope of the appended claims when interpreted in accordancewith the breadth to which they are fairly, legally and equitablyentitled.

What is claimed:
 1. A sliding storage compartment assembly for a motorvehicle, comprising: a storage bin slidably received in a storage binholder by a rail and track assembly defined by opposed sets ofnon-overlapping rails and cooperating opposed sets of non-overlappingtracks; wherein each of the opposed sets of rails and cooperatingopposed sets of tracks are vertically and laterally offset one fromanother.
 2. The storage compartment assembly of claim 1, wherein each ofthe opposed sets of rails and each of the cooperating opposed sets oftracks are vertically offset one from another in a vehicle z-axisdirection and laterally offset from one another in a vehicle x-axisdirection.
 3. The storage compartment assembly of claim 1, wherein thecooperating opposed sets of tracks are disposed on opposed side walls ofthe storage bin holder and the opposed sets of rails are disposed onopposed side walls of the storage bin.
 4. The storage compartmentassembly of claim 1, wherein the cooperating opposed sets of tracks aredisposed on opposed side walls of the storage bin and the opposed setsof rails are disposed on opposed side walls of the storage bin holder.5. A vehicle console assembly including the sliding storage compartmentassembly of claim
 1. 6. A motor vehicle including the sliding storagecompartment assembly of claim
 1. 7. A sliding storage compartmentassembly for a motor vehicle, comprising: a storage bin including a pairof non-overlapping vertically and laterally offset rails disposed oneach opposed side thereof; and a storage bin holder including a pair ofcooperating non-overlapping vertically and laterally offset tracksdisposed on each opposed side thereof.
 8. The storage compartmentassembly of claim 7, wherein the offset rails and the cooperating offsettracks are vertically offset one from another in a vehicle z-axisdirection and laterally offset from one another in a vehicle x-axisdirection.
 9. The storage compartment assembly of claim 7, wherein thepair of vertically and laterally offset rails are disposed on thestorage bin whereby a length dimension of a rail of the pair does notoverlap a length dimension of another rail of the pair.
 10. The storagecompartment assembly of claim 7, wherein the pair of cooperatingvertically and laterally offset tracks are disposed on the storage binwhereby a length dimension of a track of the pair does not overlap alength dimension of another track of the pair.
 11. A vehicle consoleassembly including the sliding storage compartment assembly of claim 7.12. A motor vehicle including the sliding storage compartment assemblyof claim
 7. 13. A sliding track system for a motor vehicle storage bin,comprising opposed sets of non-overlapping rails and cooperating opposedsets of non-overlapping tracks disposed whereby each of the opposed setsof rails are vertically and laterally offset one from another and thecooperating opposed sets of tracks are vertically and laterally offsetone from another.
 14. The sliding track system of claim 13, wherein eachof the opposed sets of rails and each of the cooperating opposed sets oftracks are vertically offset one from another in a vehicle z-axisdirection and laterally offset from one another in a vehicle x-axisdirection.
 15. The sliding track system of claim 13, wherein thecooperating opposed sets of tracks are disposed on opposed side walls ofa storage bin holder and the opposed sets of rails are disposed onopposed side walls of a storage bin.
 16. The sliding track system ofclaim 13, wherein the cooperating opposed sets of tracks are disposed onopposed side walls of a storage bin and the opposed sets of rails aredisposed on opposed side walls of a storage bin holder.
 17. The slidingtrack system of claim 13, wherein the vertically and laterally offsetcooperating tracks are disposed whereby a length dimension of a track ofthe set does not overlap a length dimension of another track of the set.18. The sliding track system of claim 13, wherein the vertically andlaterally offset rails are disposed whereby a length dimension of a railof the set does not overlap a length dimension of another rail of theset.
 19. A sliding storage bin assembly including the sliding tracksystem of claim 13.